Fulham vs Chelsea: Alonso and Arbeloa first meeting as managers

Fulham will host Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday, August 24, 2026, in a Premier League derby that marks the first managerial meeting between former Real Madrid coaches Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa. The match, scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The fixture pits two managers making their Premier League debuts against each other. Alonso, 44, was appointed as Chelsea's head coach in May following a difficult half-season at Real Madrid, where he was dismissed in January. He is tasked with reviving Chelsea after a 10th-place finish last season that saw the club miss out on European football entirely. Arbeloa, 43, took over at Fulham in early July after Marco Silva departed for Benfica. He also spent part of last season as Real Madrid's first-team coach, having replaced Alonso mid-campaign.

Both managers have been active in the transfer market. Chelsea's summer spending was headlined by the £117 million signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. Other new arrivals include Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra, who could make their debuts. Fulham's...